Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

ipTWO ELEGIKS OX MAECENASwas of late a warrior to prevent a woman" from havingRome as a marriage-oift for her foul lewdness : he spedhis arrows after the runaways—st) mighty the bow hehad bent—far as the furthest steeds of the rising sun.O Bacchus,'' after we subdued the dark-skinnedOrientals, thou didst drink sweet wine with thyhelmet's aid, — and in thy care-free hour loose flowedthy tunics 'twas the time, I fancy, when thou didstwear two * of brilliant colour. My memory works,and certes I remember that thus arms whiter thanthe gleaming snow led the Bacchic wands, and thywand was adorned with gems and gold—the trailingivy scarce had room thereon ; silvern surely were theslippers which bound thy feet : this I trow, Bacchus,thou dost not deny. Softer e'en than thy wont wasmuch that thou saidst then in converse with me : 'twasof set design that thy words were new to the ear.O Hercules unwearied, after mighty toil performed,'twas even so, they relate, thou didst lay aside thy cares,and even so didst hold joyous sport with tender damsel,forgetful of Nemea, forgetful now of Erymanthus.**" Apollo is fancied to have fought for Octavian againstCleopatra of Egypt and her lover Antony.' Vollmer takes 11. 57-68 as a " dithyramb " addressedby Apollo to Bacchus. Antony's historic posing as Bacchusgives point to the passage.' To wear two was a sign of luxury.^ Hercules' twelve labours included the slaying of theXemean lion and of the Erymanthian boar. An oracle havingordered Hercules to undergo for penance a period of menialservice, he placed himself under the charge of Omphale,princess of Lydia, and found favour with her by spinning anddressing like a woman, while she donned his lion's skin. Thetale of the strong hero relaxing into effeminacy is adducedhere as an apology for Maecenas' luxury after he had accomplishedgreat tasks.127